Neighborhood Accessibility Research Articles

OLDER ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AS CORESEARCHERS IN COMMUNITY-ENGAGED RESEARCH ON MOBILITY AND ACCESS

Abstract Neighbourhood access and participation opportunity significantly impacts the health, social inclusion, and overall wellbeing of older adults especially those with mobility, sensory and cognitive disabilities. Stakeholders Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighbourhoods (SWAN) is a community engaged mixed method project where user-led audits are conducted in neighbourhoods complemented by semi-structured interviews to evaluate the role of built environment on mobility, access and participation of older adults and people with disabilities across five cities within Metro Vancouver, Canada. Using a community engaged lens starting from initial engagement to more advanced collaboration, this project involves various community stakeholders in different capacities fostering a two-way exchange of information between researchers and community members. Study participants as coresearchers participate in research tool adaptation, data collection, analysis and knowledge mobilization. Additionally, city staff members partner with the research team to identify key areas in cities for data collection, collaborate in knowledge mobilization activities and the development of complementary implementation projects. The SWAN project is part of a larger partnership project titled, “Mobility, Access and Participation” (MAP). Preliminary findings from this project underscores neighbourhood accessibility as it relates to functionality, safety, appearance, supportive features and social engagement opportunities for older adults with disabilities while highlighting some distinct challenges across different types of disabilities. Insights from the SWAN project has the potential inform both academic scholarship and local government policy around mobility, access and social. Findings underscores the importance of community engaged research in informing programmatic and policy changes using a social equity lens.

UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF HOME THROUGH A CO-DESIGNED VIRTUAL PHOTOVOICE STUDY

Abstract Co-designed photovoice is a way for older adults to express what a place means to them from their own point of view using images and narrative. The goal of this study is to understand the concept of “home” using photovoice through the lens of older adults living in Baltimore, Maryland. As part of this co-designed, IRB-approved study, 14 older adults were interviewed twice via Zoom, a video calling platform, about the meaning of home and their community or neighborhood. Participants shared and explained the meaning of 10 photographs regarding what home meant to them. In the second Zoom interview, participants explained the meaning behind each photo and why they selected them. After analyzing the transcripts and photos of each participant, some common themes were found highlighting the meaning of home for the participants. Themes were about symbolism and meaning of objects around their home, neighborhood accessibility and walkability, daily routines and practices, and how “home” had changed during the pandemic. The ways in which virtual co-designed photovoice were based on older adults’ reframing and designing the study will be discussed.

How workable is a 20-minute city in Australia? Re-examining the challenge of change in spatial labour and job relations

ABSTRACT Most x-minute city studies focus on liveability and neighborhood accessibility to local services, but rarely include primary employment. This paper complements these studies by examining the urban employment structure and transport dynamics of an Australian city under the 20-minute city concept framework. To do this, we develop a comprehensive method to model residents’ job access time using census-based journey to work (JTW) data and detailed household activity and travel survey. Analysing JTW time stepping down to diverse industry and employment categories and transport modes allows new insight into the disparity in residents’ job and housing locations and transport choices at local scales. By evaluating the distribution of working residents, types of employment, and transport performance, this paper examines possible policy responses and challenges of change in expanding the 20-minute planning target for employment. The analysis suggests that housing infill development could support reduced JTW time for residents experiencing longer time for work travels. However, this would require active planning of both land-use mix and dwelling design to meet prevalent household expectations about dwelling size and quality.

Exploring the Factors Shaping Urban Greenspace Interactions: A Case Study of Nagpur, India

This study aims to investigate how urban residents interact with Urban Green Spaces (UGSs) in Nagpur, India, specifically focusing on the patterns of visitation and engagement. Data were collected via a face-to-face questionnaire survey using the Survey 123 app. The analysis included interaction (types of UGSs, visitation frequency, and UGS availability); engagement (activities); demographics (age, gender, and work status); and nature connection (self-reported) aspects. Using data from 2002 participants, the study employs statistical analyses using R software (4.3.2) to explore the correlations between these variables. The results revealed key factors influencing UGS usage, highlighting the interplay between environmental and social aspects. Neighborhood UGSs, proximity, and accessibility were found to be pivotal in promoting frequent visitation, while physical activity emerged as the most common activity among daily visitors. Older adults visited UGSs less frequently, suggesting potential barriers, while employed individuals visited more often. A strong association between nature connection and UGS interaction was highlighted, emphasizing the psychological and emotional aspects of UGS usage. For example, individuals who felt more connected to nature reported using UGSs for physical activities, mental relaxation, and socializing. These findings underscore the need for integrating UGSs within broader urban social-ecological systems, which means recognizing these spaces as vital components contributing to overall health and resilience and catering to the population’s diverse needs, ensuring that these spaces are accessible and enjoyable for all community members, including those from different cultural, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, fostering nature connectedness through education and exposure to natural environments is recommended to enhance UGS usage, supporting broader urban planning strategies to create sustainable and healthy urban environments.

NEIGHBOURHOOD ACCESSIBILITY AND ACTIVE LIVING PATTERN OF CHILDREN: A PILOT STUDY IN NAGPUR, INDIA

Purpose: This paper explores the association between neighbourhood accessibility and the active living patterns (ALP) of children in urban India. Focusing on outdoor out-of-school physical activities (OOPA), mode of travel to school (MTS), mode of travel to the neighbourhood (MTN), and habitual active independent home range (HAIHR), it seeks to understand the relationship between active living and neighbourhood outdoor physical environment (OPE) during middle childhood.Methodology: Defining the variable within the framework of the ‘Adapted Ecological Model for Active Living in Urban Indian Children’, this study employed a cross-sectional quantitative method to examine two neighborhoods in Nagpur, India. The subjective data was collected from 43 in-person surveys of 8–12-year-old children and objective data was computed using GIS.Results: Children’s ALP had significant positive associations with built density, traffic exposure, parents’ perception of personal safety, neighbourhood physical activity (PA) environment, license for independent mobility (IM) and gender. Children’s OOPA was significantly positively correlated with built density, neighbourhood PA environment, motivation for PA, license for IM and gender. Children preferred active MTS to school if schools were close by and they had licenses for IM whereas their active MTN depended on parent’s positive perceptions of personal safety in the neighbourhood and permission for IM. Longer HAIHR was related to lesser traffic, licenses for IM and parents’ positive perceptions of neighbourhood safety.Conclusion: This study has identified several key neighbourhood OPE (density, traffic, parental safety concerns, PA environment), individual (gender, motivation), and interpersonal (license IM) correlates shaping urban children’s active living in India.

The spatial planning of housing and urban green space: A combined stated choice experiment and land-use modeling approach

The spatial planning of housing and urban green space: A combined stated choice experiment and land-use modeling approach

A participatory foresight approach to envisioning post-pandemic urban development pathways in Tokyo

A participatory foresight approach to envisioning post-pandemic urban development pathways in Tokyo

Hanging up the car keys: Exploring factors that influence older drivers planning for driving retirement in Australia

Hanging up the car keys: Exploring factors that influence older drivers planning for driving retirement in Australia

Proximity-centred accessibility—A conceptual debate involving experts and planning practitioners

Proximity-centred accessibility—A conceptual debate involving experts and planning practitioners

How does the environment in and around the home impact social care and health outcomes for older people?

Reducing the burden of falls and fall-related admissions to hospital and care homes is an important policy area. Falls cause significant injury leading to a reduced quality of life. We wanted to know if the environment around people’s homes changes the risk of falls for older people in Wales.
 We linked routinely collected, anonymised health data on frailty, dementia, hospital admissions, care home admission, and A&E attendance in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank. We also linked individual level demographic data and household level neighbourhood walkability and accessibility metrics detailing the built environment (e.g. access to services, greenspace). We capture change in the built environment and house moves between January 2010 and December 2017. Using unadjusted and adjusted cox regression models we will assess how the risk and severity of a fall changes in relation to the built environment.
 We have created a dynamic national e-cohort linking data on frailty, dementia, hospital admissions, care home admission, A&E attendance and built environment measures for people living in Wales aged 60 and above between January 2010 and December 2017. At the conference we will report summary statistics for each quarter as well as the overall population. We will also report unadjusted cox model odds ratios, as well as fully adjusted models. We will adjust for age, sex, urbanicity (urban/rural), deprivation (WIMD), dementia diagnosis, and seasonal weather trends. We will also report odds ratios for our stratification analysis where we will investigate whether associations vary by urbanicity and deprivation.
 With an aging population, it is becoming more important to help the current and future older population age healthily, preventing adverse health outcomes before they happen. This research will help guide policy and resource allocation to support people staying at home and have a more fulfilling life for longer.

Association between urban greenspace, tree canopy cover and intentional deaths: An exploratory geospatial analysis

Greenspaces can provide restorative experiences, offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, and reduce mental fatigue; all of which may improve community health and safety. Yet few studies have examined the neighborhood-level benefits of greenspace in reducing violent deaths. This study explored the association between three distinct greenspace metrics: public greenspace quantity, public greenspace accessibility, neighborhood tree canopy cover, and intentional deaths (i.e., homicides and suicides). Generalized linear models and spatial error models investigated the association between greenspace, tree canopy and intentional deaths in three geographically distinct cities in North Carolina. Results revealed that increased neighborhood greenspace accessibility and tree canopy cover were associated with reduced intentional deaths in all three urban areas. Neighborhood greenspace accessibility was the most protective factor across all study areas. The relationship between neighborhood greenspace accessibility and intentional deaths was more significant for non-firearm deaths as compared to firearm deaths, indicating that weapon type may be an important consideration for neighborhood greenspace interventions. Compared to predominantly White neighborhoods, predominantly Black neighborhoods had higher rates of homicide in Asheville and Durham and higher rates of suicide in Charlotte. Future policy and research should focus on improving equitable access to existing and future greenspaces, especially in primarily Black neighborhoods.

How do forms and characteristics of Asian public housing neighbourhoods affect dementia risk among senior population? A cross-sectional study in Hong Kong

Public housing estate is a key determinant of community health risk in American/European cities. However, how forms/characteristics of compact/hilly public housing's neighbourhoods affect dementia among Asian seniors was underestimated. This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 2,077 seniors living in Hong Kong's public housing estates were included. Dementia was measured by a Cantonese version of Montreal - Cognitive Assessment. Built environment was measured based on three dimensions (greenery, walkability, accessibility), including 11 metrics. Circular buffers (without walking paths) and service areas (considering walking paths) with two-dimensional/three-dimensional (terrain) adjustment were applied to quantify forms/characteristics of neighbourhoods. Two spatial buffers were applied: immediate distance (200m) and walkable distance (500m). Exposure-by-exposure regressions were applied to evaluate the associations between form/characteristics of neighbourhood and dementia. Forms/characteristics without considering walking paths may overestimate health benefits from built environment. For circular buffers, higher percentage of building coverage, higher land use mix and more community/transportation/leisure facilities were negatively associated with dementia. All measures of greenery were positively associated with dementia. For service areas, measures of walkability and accessibility became insignificant except more community facilities at the immediate distance. Furthermore, terrain effect was insignificant when it was compared with the impacts of walking paths. Dementia among seniors in hilly public housing estates was negatively associated with neighbourhood's walkability and accessibility and was influenced by walking paths. For healthy ageing, improved forms/characteristics of public housing neighbourhoods should include more accessible spaces and community facilities along walking paths for physical activities and basic daily needs.

Housing and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

The loss of psychosocial well-being is an overlooked but monumental consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. These effects result not only from the pandemic itself but, in a secondary way, from the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) made to curb the spread of disease. The unprecedented physical distancing and stay-at-home requirements and recommendations provide a unique window for housing researchers to better understand the mechanisms by which housing affects psychosocial well-being. This study draws on a survey conducted with over 2,000 residents of the neighbouring Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta in 2021. We propose a new multi-dimensional model to examine the relationships between the Material, Economic, Affordances, Neighbourhood, and Stability (MEANS) aspects of housing and psychosocial well-being. Our analysis reveals the direct and indirect pathways by which deficiencies in each of these areas had negative effects on psychosocial well-being. Residential stability, housing affordances, and neighbourhood accessibility exert stronger direct impacts on psychosocial well-being than material and economic housing indicators (e.g. size of living space and tenure). Notably, we find no significant well-being differences between different homeowners and renters when we account for other housing MEANS. These findings have important implications for housing policy across pandemic and post-pandemic contexts, suggesting a need for research and policy focus on understanding housing and well-being in terms of non-material aspects, such as residential stability and affordances that housing provides.

Social and Emotional Wellbeing Among Young People; the Mitigating Role of Ecological Domains

To examine the role of neighbourhood, what Bronfenbrenner describes as an element in the exosystem, as a protective asset for adolescents’ social and emotional wellbeing. The study used a subset of national data reported by adolescents and their parents from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). A linear mixed-effect model was used to estimate the association between neighbourhood indicators and trajectories in a measure of social and emotional wellbeing (the SDQ Total Difficulties score) at ages 12–13, 14–15 and 16–17, controlling for age and sex, peer and family relationships and household material resources. The analysis revealed that parents’ perceptions of belonging and their subjective assessments of the condition of housing in the neighbourhood, as well as externally sourced data on neighbourhood accessibility and socio-economic status, were significantly associated with adolescents’ total difficulties scores over time. The findings revealed the role of neighbourhood level protective assets as a potential influence on adolescents’ social and emotional wellbeing. Greater attention should be given to understanding the complex interactions between the resources mobilised by individuals and their families, and the influence of wider environments and social structures on young people’s social and emotional wellbeing.

Abstract A012: The effect of neighborhood deprivation on colorectal cancer patients in Louisiana: A multilevel study

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer incidence in Louisiana and the US exhibit profound racial and ethnic disparities, determined not only by individual-level predictors but also by neighborhood-level characteristics. Aggregate-level factors such as neighborhood deprivation level, rural/urban status, and accessibility to healthcare facilities are associated with geographic health disparities. This study examines the effect of area neighborhood deprivation on overall and early-onset (age < 50 years) CRC cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, and survival. Methods From the Louisiana Tumor Registry we identified 18,903 eligible CRC cancer patients using ICD-O-3 codes C180-C189, C199, C209-C212, C218, and C260, with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage 0-IV between 2009 and 2018. The census tract (CT) level Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was calculated for the years 2010-2014 for all CTs where eligible patients reside. We convert the ADI to quantiles such that higher quantiles indicated more disadvantaged neighborhoods. Trend analysis of CRC cancer incidence by CT-level deprivation was conducted. Multilevel models were constructed to evaluate the influence of neighborhood deprivation on risk of advanced stage cancer diagnosis and death. Variables including sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, marital, smoking status, and primary subsite at the individual level and rural/urban status at the neighborhood level were adjusted. Results We observed a positive relationship between neighborhood deprivation and CRC cancer incidence, with an incidence rate of 38.91 (95% CI 37.32-40.50) cases per 100,000 for the least deprived areas and 57.29 (95% CI 55.20-59.37) cases per 100,000 among the CTs with the highest deprivation (P <.0001). For both males and females, CRC incidence increased linearly with higher deprivation, but males experienced stronger association than females. The incidence of early-onset CRC cancer ranged from 7.62 (95% CI 6.82-8.43) cases per 100,000 population in the least deprived quantile to 11.14 (95% CI 9.99-12.29) cases per 100,000 population in the most deprived ADI quantile (P < .0001). Multilevel model results estimate that the probability of advanced stage (AJCC stage II-IV) CRC cancer diagnosis increases as the deprivation index increases. Compared with patients in the least deprived group, living in the most deprived group was associated with the highest risk (OR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.14-1.52). Although the adjusted survival is similar across deprivation quantiles (HR = 1), an advanced stage of diagnosis significantly increases the overall and cause-specific risk of death. Conclusion Overall and early-onset CRC cancer incidence increases in areas with higher neighborhood deprivation level. Greater neighborhood derivation is associated with more advanced stage (AJCC II-IV) CRC cancer diagnosis. Acknowledgment Supported by NIH/NCI 1R01CA259420. Citation Format: Tingting Li, Ariane L. Rung, Madhav KC, Mei-Chin Hsieh, Laura S. Rozek, Edward S. Peters. The effect of neighborhood deprivation on colorectal cancer patients in Louisiana: A multilevel study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A012.

Engaging Appreciative Inquiry in Exploring Accessibility Needs among Vulnerable Community in Kuala Lumpur Neighbourhood

Neighborhood accessibility affects a wider range of people, especially the vulnerable groups. The disablement of the built environment imposes limitation for the vulnerable groups to reach facilities and services independently. The built environment can only be effective when it is interconnected and seamless. Research in the past focuses on problem base approach which had little success in eliciting responses from stakeholders for sustainable change in their built environment. This research investigates accessibility experience in the built environment through social process of meaning-making based on positive and constructive interactions. This qualitative research using focus group discussion (FGD) employs an appreciative inquiry (AI) to collect and decode data in four stages; discovery, dream, design, and destiny. The FGD involved stakeholders including vulnerable communities; the elderly, pregnant women, mothers with toddlers, persons with disabilities (PwD), academicians and NGOs. Findings revealed collective priorities related to the accessibility improvements in the external and internal living environment, the need to enforce national disability law, the actualisation blueprint of the desired future living environment. To create an accessible and sustainable neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur, the study demonstrated how the Appreciative Inquiry approach generates real community needs and voices those rights holistically.

ADAPTING STAKEHOLDER WALKABILITY/WHEELABILITY AUDIT TOOL IN NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SENSORY AND COGNITIVE DISABILITIES

Abstract Neighbourhood accessibility influences health, social inclusion, and overall wellbeing of older adults. It is important to assess neighbourhood accessibility in relation to the diverse needs and challenges brought on by the intersection of aging and disability, particularly sensory and cognitive disabilities. Given the paucity of neighbourhood audit tools tailored for this population, The user-led Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighbourhoods (SWAN) tool was originally created for people with mobility disabilities and is now being adapted for seniors with sensory and cognitive disabilities to evaluate functionality, safety, appearance, supportive features, and social aspects in their neighbourhoods. In this paper, we present highlights and key takeaways from the process of adapting the SWAN tool for three user groups: people living with 1) Blindness or low vision, 2) Deafness and hearing loss, and 3) Dementia. Key steps in the iterative tool adaptation process include 1) identifying access needs/challenges for the three user groups based on a literature review, 2) online consultation with stakeholders with lived and/or professional experience (N = 4) to prioritize key access needs/challenges that will be captured through the SWAN tool and review draft versions of the tool, and 3) in-person pilot testing of tools with persons with lived experience (N = 2) in two urban/suburban neighbourhoods in British Columbia, Canada. Reflections of team members and input from stakeholders and pilot participants revealed issues that were addressed in tool development, namely 1) length of audit and participant fatigue, 2) legibility of tool, and 3) tailoring audit to participants’ context and needs.

Visualizing the impact of Covid-19 vaccine passports on pedestrian access to metro stations in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT Pedestrian infrastructures in Hong Kong enable multilevel city life in a vertical metropolis plagued by land scarcity. Public spaces integrated into pedestrian networks play an indispensable role in neighbourhood accessibility. We visualize the impact of the Covid-19 vaccine passport (VP) restrictions on the use of public space on pedestrian accessibility to all 97 metro stations in Hong Kong. Pedestrians without a vaccine passport (PwoVP) need to walk significantly longer alternative routes. Specifically, VP-related access restrictions to indoor walkways have doubled the shortest travel time for PwoVP and a 50% reduction in accessibility of two-thirds of stations.

Critical Determinants of Residential Land Values in a Suburban Area: A Perception Analysis

Residential land is a crucial factor for human beings in any country. Along with the rapid urbanization, the value of residential land is increasing gradually which sometimes the values are unreachable in some places. There is no evidence of research on what factors that are contributing to this escalation of land prices in Moratuwa, one of the suburban areas of the city of Colombo in Sri Lanka. Hence, the main intention of this research is to identify the important determinants of residential land values in the Moratuwa Municipal Council area. Data was collected from two groups, i.e., the residents and professionals who work with land values including three property valuers and a bank manager. An online questionnaire survey was used to collect data from residents selected through the purposive sampling method while semi structured interviews were conducted with professionals. The analysis proceeds with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The results of the quantitative analysis used for residents’ views show that the factors of location, neighbourhood characteristics, accessibility, and topographic characteristics are significantly influence on land value. The results of the content analysis applied for professionals' views were very close to the results of resident’s views and confirm that the location and neighbourhood characteristics and accessibility are significant on land values. Accordingly, the factors of location, accessibility, and neighbourhood characteristics are having a significant impact in terms of determining the residential land values in the Moratuwa MC Area and interested parties are advised to consider them in all transactions on residential lands.

Older People’s Neighborhood Perceptions Are Related to Social and Emotional Loneliness and Mediated by Social Network Type

Background and ObjectivesLoneliness among older people is a public health issue; however, there is very weak support for the efficacy of individually focused interventions. A public health model, which includes the environmental influence on the formation of social networks and protection from loneliness, and theoretical approaches differentiating between social and emotional loneliness, suggest the importance of neighborhoods in preventing loneliness. This approach was used to test the influence of neighborhood factors on loneliness and the mediating role of social networks.Research Design and MethodsA questionnaire survey of 917 people aged 60–100 years was conducted in one region of Aotearoa/New Zealand to assess loneliness, social network types, social participation, marital status, gender, health, and four aspects of neighborhood perceptions.ResultsSocial and emotional loneliness scores were regressed on predicted demographic and social variables, followed by perceptions of Housing Satisfaction, Neighborhood Accessibility, Neighborhood Security, and Neighborhood Social Cohesion. Neighborhood variables added significant explanation of variance in both social and emotional loneliness. Mediation tests using PROCESS showed that the effects of all neighborhood variables were mediated by Private-Restricted or Locally Integrated Network types on Social Loneliness only.Discussion and ImplicationsThese findings highlight the importance of neighborhood factors in relation to feelings of loneliness and the recognition of social network types as mediators of these relationships for social loneliness. The aspects of neighborhoods that prevent loneliness provide directions for planners and prevention programs. Interventions to prevent social loneliness can usefully and practicably focus on the housing and neighborhood environment.